The Warhill High School Wrestling Program is just one of the eight recipients of the Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund Amateur Sports Grants for 2017. The Altshuler Fund was made possible by the generosity of longtime Williamsburg resident Ben Altshuler, who had a passion for wrestling. The fund is managed by the Williamsburg Community Foundation. For more information, visit WilliamsburgCommunityFoundation.org. Photo Credit: Kim Lish
Williamsburg Community Foundation recently awarded $22,562 in grants to eight local organizations, thanks to the Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund for Amateur Sports:
- York High School – Wrestling Program
- Tabb High School – Wrestling Program
- Warhill High School – Wrestling Program
- Smithfield High School – Program
- Warwick High School – Wrestling Program
- Peninsula Catholic High School – Tennis Program
- Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association – Colonial Revolution Youth Mountain Biking
- Williamsburg Boat Club – Junior and Middle School Rowing Program
Benjamin Altshuler was a longtime Williamsburg resident who had a passion for both amateur sports — in particular wrestling — and increasing access to transportation. Upon his passing in 2007, a memorial endowment fund was created from his estate to support these two causes, and since then the fund has distributed over $300,000 in grants to the community. Thanks to Ben’s generosity, our community will continue to benefit for many years to come.
The Foundation is proud to support high school wrestling and other amateur sports programs that are not typically accessible to the general public, as Ben Altshuler described in his bequest. The impact of these programs goes beyond just athletics. “Through wrestling, our athletes build not only physical fitness, but self-confidence, discipline, mental toughness, sportsmanship and more,” said Arlene Armentour, Peninsula Catholic High School.
The Williamsburg Community Foundation awards competitive grants from its community endowment twice a year, and from area funds, such as the Altshuler Fund, once a year in the fall. The Foundation’s community endowment grants support five priority areas: Arts & Culture, Children & Young Adults, Environment & Conservation, Health & Community Wellness, and Senior Services.
The next grant deadline for Altshuler Amateur Sports Grants will be in September 2018. The application will be available on the Foundation’s website. Questions about grants should be directed to Nancy Sullivan, President & Chief Executive Officer, at 757-259-1660 or ncsullivan@williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org.